Steve Laube

Fun Fridays – September 16, 2022

By Steve Laubeon September 16, 2022

This fellow has close to a billion views of his various piano videos! Goes by the name of Lord Vinheteiro. He does have an eerie look when staring at the camera; but it’s on purpose.

Today he does bits from what he claims are the top ten most difficult piano pieces to play. The liner notes say: “They are hard to play because they are fast songs, with left-handed jumps, polyrhythms, octaves, tenths, arpeggios, and other piano technical difficulties.”

Do you have a different choice for your top 10? Chopsticks is incorrect.

The Myth of the Unearned Advance

By Steve Laubeon September 12, 2022

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[I wrote much of this article back in 2011. Upon review, I stand by the analysis. I’ve left the past comments to accentuate the discussion.] ______________ A common myth permeating the industry is that a book is not profitable if the author’s advance does not earn out. I would like to attempt to dispel this myth. First, let’s define the term “advance.” When a book contract is created between …

Category: Book Business, Career, Money, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Book Business, Contracts, Get Published, Money, Traditional Publishing

Fun Fridays – September 9, 2022

By Steve Laubeon September 9, 2022

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Today’s video just has to put a smile on your face. Good Mornin’!

Category: Fun Fridays

Labor Day Holiday

By Steve Laubeon September 5, 2022

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Today the U.S. celebrates Labor Day as a national holiday. It’s a perfect day to make and eat popcorn, a favorite snack! Enjoy this insightful video with the Muppets Swedish chef attempting to make enough for everyone.

Category: HumorTag: Humor, Labor Day

Fun Fridays – September 2, 2022

By Steve Laubeon September 2, 2022

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Tomorrow is International Bacon Day! Celebrate the bacon! A few years ago, there was a fun online thread with creative people replacing movie titles or book titles with the word bacon. For example: The Lion, the Witch, and the Bacon Pretty in Bacon Harry Potter and the Goblet of Bacon Eat, Bacon, Love The Lord of the Bacon So I thought, “Why not apply the same to bestselling Christian …

Category: Fun FridaysTag: Humor, Titles

7 Tips for Pitching Your Idea

By Steve Laubeon August 29, 2022

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You have a chance to pitch your book idea to an editor or an agent at a conference. I’ve written about this before (see “That Conference Appointment”) but thought it may be helpful to come at the topic from a different direction. The pitch itself. These tips can help whether or not your appointment is virtual or in-person. 1. Relax. Seriously. Relax. This 15-minute appointment won’t make or break …

Category: Book Proposals, Conferences, Pitching

Fun Fridays – August 26, 2022

By Steve Laubeon August 26, 2022

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You may not enjoy this video as much as I do. The reason is that I played basketball in high school and was able to dunk. In addition, I had the fun of going to State as a high jumper. But this video is highest-level stuff (pun intended). When I see things like this I’m stunned at the sheer athleticism. Metaphor? You may be good, but there will always be someone better based on certain …

Category: Fun Fridays

The Woman Beside the Man

By Steve Laubeon August 22, 2022

Forty-one years ago today, a beautiful young lady said “I do”; and we have been married ever since. They say that beside every good man is an even better woman. I couldn’t agree more. Through the ups and downs of life, my wife, Lisa, has been the foundation of our home and raised three incredible daughters (and now two grandsons are part of the extended family!). I can safely say …

Category: PersonalTag: Personal

Fun Fridays – August 19, 2022

By Steve Laubeon August 19, 2022

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When professionals take a moment to have fun, we can enjoy the spectacle. See what I mean with today’s video of a doubles match held at Wimbledon earlier this summer. Is there a writing metaphor here somewhere? Add your ideas in the comments below. (If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.)

Category: Fun Fridays

Rejection: A Fact of the Writing Life

By Steve Laubeon August 15, 2022

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Rejection is a fact of life. Especially the writing life. As one crusty publishing veteran said: “Welcome to the industry that will break your heart.” Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, doesn’t it? But let me put a little perspective on it. I admire writers. You put your souls on a few pages and send them to strangers and pray for acceptance. How do you do that, day in and day …

Category: RejectionTag: Get Published, Rejection